The Sanahin monastery complex was a medieval cultural, ghostly and notable center. It is located in Gugark province of Greater Armenia (Mets Hayk), now in Lori province. According to the tradition, Sanahin was built in the place, where Grigor the Illuminator (Grigor Lusavorich) had placed a cross in the 4th century. Sanahin monastery was built a little earlier than Haghpat monastery, that’s why Sanahin means “this is older than Haghpat.”
The monastery complex consists of St. Astvatatsin and Amenaprkich churches, 3 vestibules, the library and the bell tower.
The first church of the monastery complex is St. Astvatsatsin church, was built in the 10th century, /around 928-944/ during the reign of king Abbas A Bagratuni.
The main temple of the monastery is Amenaprkich church, which was built in 957-966 by the queen Khosrovanuysh, the wife of Ashot G. Voghormats.
About 50 khachkars and 4 tombs have been preserved in the territory of the monastery.
In the middle of the 17th century, the main structures of the monastery, which were damaged by earthquakes, were substantially repaired. At the beginning of the 20th century the activity of the monastery stopped.
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